What the pork!?

Feb 17: Did you know that it is illegal to bring in pork and pork-based products into Malaysia at the KL International Airport? 

Well, up till yesterday we were ignorant. So when pre-landing announcement on flight MH0749 from Danang said so, we looked at each other,  startled. 

Since when? 

The last time we came back through KLIA was a month ago, from a mountaineering trip in Nepal. We were flying  Batik Air and there was no such announcement. As usual, passengers were reminded that Malaysia had tough laws on smuggling of illicit drugs. The death penalty awaits anyone convicted.

On Malaysia Airlines flight back yesterday, passengers were told that besides illicit drugs, the Malaysian government bars the importation of pork (khinzir was used in the Malay announcement) and pork-based products. If you are carrying any, do get rid of them at "quarantine bins" designated along the way to the airport Customs and. Immigration point. Failure to do so could get you in real trouble. You could be fined up to RM100, 000 in fine or jailed six months, or even both. 

We consider ourselves quite the seasoned travellers so not knowing this prohibition on pork and pork-based products had left us stumped and sheepish. When did this new law come into effect? 

A quick check with Google confirms that Malaysia staeted strictly prohibiting the import of pork and pork-based products from several countries (including 

China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam) in September 2018 due to the African Swine Fever. 

It was supposed to be a temporary measure but in May 2024 local newspaper The Sun reported that the Malaysian government was maintaining the ban due to health concerns. 

The Malaysian government issued the import ban through the Veterinary Services and Customs departments, in accordance with the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported the ASF outbreak in Malaysia in October 2023. The first confirmed ASF case was in February 2021 in Sabah, with subsequent cases in the peninsula in December the same year. In July 2023, ASF was detected in wild boars in Perak, followed by outbreaks on swine farms in Perak and Kedah in October.

Well, it is good to know that the recent bruhaha over pig farming in Selangor has nothing to do with the pork ban in KLIA. The Sultan of Selangor, irked by recent approvals for large-scale pig-farming activities in his state, suggested that those in the porky business import instead. 

In any case, there won't ever be a shortage of pork. That much the DAP chief Anthony Loke has assured pork lovers following the Selangor pig-farming controversy. "Chinese New Year will not feel like Chinese New Year without roast pig,” he guaranteed in There will be roast pigs every CNY.

I've always associated Chinese New Year with fireworks and oranges and, more importantly, us Malaysians from different races and religions, pork eaters and not, celebrating together and wishing prosperity and harmony. And in that spirit, I wish all my readers, Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the Lunar Year of the Horse beings prosperity and lifelong health and peace to all of us.